WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — The driver who allegedly left three disabled patients inside a running van for over three hours while it was inside a West Valley City apartment complex garage, killing the men, has been arrested on multiple counts of manslaughter.
Isaiah Vaughn Pulu, 25, was booked Friday on three counts of manslaughter and three counts of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult.
West Valley City police originally said the three people found dead inside the van at the Pinnacle Highbury complex died from what appeared to be an "accidental carbon monoxide incident."
The men were identified as 25-year-old Colton Moser, 22-year-old Mosa'ati Moa and 39-year-old Tim Jones.
Officers responded to the apartment complex at 2:00 p.m. after the men were found unresponsive and not breathing in the van.
Pulu is an employee of a service that transports disabled adults, and the men were from different assisted living facilities.
Police said Pulu stopped at his own home at the apartment complex and left the vehicle parked inside the garage around 10:00 a.m. with the engine running, the windows rolled down, with the men still inside.
Booking documents say Pulu told police that he left the garage door open. When Pulu returned to the van around 1:30 p.m., he found the garage door closed, and the three men dead.
Pulu was interviewed by police following the incident and arrested hours later. He is currently being held without bail.
In response to FOX 13 News' request for comment, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is aware of the incident that resulted in 3 people losing their lives in West Valley City.
At the core of our work is a commitment to the health and safety of people being served. When safety is compromised and lives are lost, we feel it deeply. Our hearts go out to the loved ones and families as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
DHHS, Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC) has issued a Notice of Emergency Agency Action (NEAA) to Safe and Sounds Services, LLC against the day treatment license.
This NEAA prohibits Safe and Sound from serving any new people under its day treatment license for 30 days while DLBC conducts a full investigation.
Upon completion of the investigation, further licensing action will be taken if the provider is found out of compliance with state rules and regulations
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